Assianoe of



(No Model.)

- J. W. WESTERVE'LT.

Method of, and Machine for, Removing the Burr from Buttons, &0.

No. 237,221. Patented Feb. 1, 188i.

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N-PETERS, PHOTO-LiTHOGRAFHER, WASHINGTON. D. C.

UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. WESTERVELT, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALFTO JOHN G. DICKINSON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REMOVING THE BURR FROM BUTTONS, &c.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 237,221, dated February1, 1881. Application filed November 15, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN W. WESTER- VELT, ofSpringfield, in the county of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts,have invented new and useful Improvements in the Methodof and Machinefor Removing the Burr from Buttons Made from Plastic Material, of whichthe following is a specification.

The invention relates to the manufacture of buttons from plasticmaterial.

Heretofore the burr has been removed by hand. This is objectionable onaccount of the outlay of time and consequent expense.

The object of my invention is to provide a speedy means for removing theburr.

The invention consists in subjecting the button with burr attached topressure from an elastic or yielding surface; in the means for applyingthis pressure; in the means for feeding, and in the arrangement ofelastic-faced rolls; and, finally, it consists in the generalconstruction and arrangement, as hereinafter set forth, whereby thesebeneficial results are accomplished.

In the accompanying drawings, in 'which similar letters of referenceindicate like parts, Figure 1 is a side view of the working parts of themachine, and Fig. 2 is an end view'of the same.

In. the process of manufacturing buttons from plastic material a burr isformed upon the outer edge of the button. This has been removedheretofore by holding the button in one hand and breaking the burr fromit with the other. I find that if the button with the burr attached asit comes from the die be subjected to pressure from an elastic oryielding surface the burr will be broken from the button.

The best method of applying the pressure is, in my opinion, the onedescribed, and illustrated in the drawings. I arrange two elastic-facedrolls, 0 D, (rubber being preferred,) in such a manner that the surfaceswill revolve,in contact or near each other and pass the buttons to beoperated upon between them. The feed-belt f passes over one of theserolls and over a roll, t. A hopper or shelf, 1), is

arranged in a convenient position, from which the buttons are fed to thefeed-belt. This, traveling in the direction of the arrow, carries thebuttons between the rolls 0 D, where the button and burr are separatedby the pressure, and fall from the other side to any convenientreceptacle. Motion is given the rolls through the belt-pulley, which isattached to the shaft of one of the rolls, and the rolls are connectedby gears 0 o, as shown. Suitable guides prevent the buttons falling fromthe feed-belt.

It will be seen that very many modifications of this machine might bemade, and very many devices constructed to apply the pressure of anelastic or yielding surface to accomplish the same result. I do nottherefore confine myself to the machine; but, as heretofore stated, Ideem the machine shown the best construction for applying the. method orprocess.

WhatI claim, therefore, as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. The method of removing the burr by subjecting the button with burrattached to pressure from an elastic surface, substantially as shown.

2. The method of removing the burr from buttons by subjecting topressure from a yielding body, substantially as described.

' 3. The method of removing the burr by subjecting the button topressure from an elastic-faced roll, substantially as shown.

4. The feed-belt f, in combination with the rolls D and t and the roll0, substantially as shown, for the purposes stated.

5. The combination of the rolls 0 and D, arranged in supports, as shown,and having gears o 0, the feed-belt f, roll t, and hopper b, constructedand arranged substantially as shown, for the purposes stated.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I hereunto set my hand, in thepresence of two witnesses, this 11th day of November, 1880.

JOHN W. WESTERVELT.

Witnesses ALLEN WEBSTER, GEO. O. KINGSBURY.

